Facing 2021: A brave new world

The year 2020 is over. It is now 2021. How should we live in the midst of a brave new world? The answers are found in the Word of God! Matthew chapter 2 verses 1 to 12 occurs one to two years after the birth of the Lord Jesus. Matthew shows us how to respond to the birth of Jesus and, in a sense, how to face 2021. In Matthew 2:1-12 there are four responses to the birth of Jesus….

The first response was indifference (verses 1-3). “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem saying, ‘Where is He Who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.’ When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled and all Jerusalem with him.”

Many people today are indifferent to the things of God. Jerusalem in the first century was a city of 80,000 people. The magi or wise men burst upon the scene. There may have been as many as 200 wise men. They traveled with a small army. They rode steeds- not camels. These men were part of the mighty Parthian Empire. They were experts in science and mathematics and astronomy. They were Gentile kingmakers.

They asked a very important question, “Where is He Who has been born King of the Jews?” The entire city was “stirred” or “troubled” (verse 3). The word means “to be struck by an earthquake.” They made an impact on Jerusalem! Herod the king heard of their visit. Yet the response of Jerusalem was one of indifference.

This year we dare not be indifferent. This is the time for us to draw near to God. Indifference is not a good way to face the new year.

The second response was distraction (verses 4-6). Herod called a religious convocation. He gathered together the chief priests and the scribes. He asked them where the Messiah was to be born. They correctly quoted Micah 5 and 2 Samuel 5. But these religious leaders were distracted. They did not travel to Bethlehem.

The chief priests ran the temple. The scribes transcribed the Old Testament. They also taught the people the Word of God. Inexcusably they were distracted. They were so busy they didn’t have time for the birth of the Messiah! We dare not be distracted this year. We need a laser like focus on God Himself. We must seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.

The third response was defiance (verses 7-9). Herod the Great was actually Herod the Paranoid. He had ten wives and a dozen children. Herod’s favorite wife, Mariamne, was known for her great beauty. Herod killed her mother. He killed her two sons. Later he killed Mariamne.

Herod dispatched his soldiers to Bethlehem. In an act of unspeakable horror he killed the baby boys aged two and younger. Herod was defiant. He would not allow the rightful King of the Jews to take his place. We must not be defiant toward God this year.

The fourth and right response must be devotion to the Lord Jesus (verses 9-12). The wise men sought Jesus. The star reappeared. They had already followed the shekinah glory from Babylon to Jerusalem- a distance of 800 miles and a journey of 40 days. The followed the star to Bethlehem.

We seek Jesus today through the Word of God. When we open the Bible God speaks to us. When we close the Bible God stops speaking. The Bible is sweeter than honey and better than gold. We must read and meditate upon Scripture.

They also submitted to Jesus. Verse 11 says, “After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground…” We submit or follow the Lord Jesus through faith. We read the Word of God and respond to it. They also worshiped Him (verse 11).

Their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh were significant. Gold is the metal of kings. Frankincense was used in worship. Myrrh anointed a body for death. Jesus is the King. He is God. He came to die for our sins. The foundation of our lives must be the Lord Jesus.

We live in a time of tremendous change. Fifteen years ago there were no iphones, ipads, snapchat, Instagram, bitcoin, uber or twitter. Thankfully God does not change. He is immutable. Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.” Jesus Christ is the proper foundation for our lives. Let’s don’t be indifferent or distracted or defiant toward the Lord Jesus. Instead, let’s be devoted and worship Him today!

Ethan Hansen is a pastor at Faith Bible Fellowship in Big Lake.